Range extension within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications

ABSTRACT

Range extension within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A given communication device designed and implemented for operation in accordance with a given communication protocol, standard, and/or recommended practice operates in accordance with a down-clocked manner to effectuate operation in accordance with at least one other communication protocol, standard, and/or recommended practice. For example, first channelization may undergo down-clocking by a particular and desired ratio to generate a second channelization. As such, at least one portion of a physical layer (PHY) of a given communication device may be leveraged for use in at least one other or additional operational mode based upon the down-clocking employed. Sub-channel and/or channel adaptation may be made based upon any of a number of considerations (e.g., independently by one device, cooperatively by two or more devices, local and/or remote operating condition(s) [or changes thereof], etc.).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS/PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.13/448,301, entitled “Range extension within single user, multiple user,multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications,” filed Apr. 16,2012, pending, and scheduled subsequently to be issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,281,928 on Mar. 8, 2016 (as indicated in an ISSUE NOTIFICATION mailedfrom the USPTO on Feb. 17, 2016), which claims priority pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/476,746, entitled“Range extension within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMOwireless communications,” filed 04-18-2011, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/478,707, entitled “Frequency selectivetransmission within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wirelesscommunications,” filed Apr. 25, 2011, all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The following U.S. Utility Patent Application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S.Utility Patent Application for all purposes:

1. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/448,307, entitled“Frequency selective transmission within multiple user, multiple access,and/or MIMO wireless communications,” filed on Apr. 16, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,848,639 on Sep. 30, 2014.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The following IEEE standards/draft IEEE standards are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are made part ofthe present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes:

1. IEEE Std 802.11™—2012, “IEEE Standard for Informationtechnology—Telecommunications and information exchange betweensystems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements; Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications,” IEEE Computer Society, Sponsored by the LAN/MANStandards Committee, IEEE Std 802.11™-2012, (Revision of IEEE Std802.11-2007), 2793 total pages (incl. pp. i-xcvi, 1-2695).

2. IEEE Std 802.11n™—2009, “IEEE Standard for Informationtechnology—Telecommunications and information exchange betweensystems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements; Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications; Amendment 5: Enhancements for Higher Throughput,” IEEEComputer Society, IEEE Std 802.11n™-2009, (Amendment to IEEE Std802.11™—2007 as amended by IEEE Std 802.11k™—2008, IEEE Std802.11r™—2008, IEEE Std 802.11y™—2008, and IEEE Std 802.11r™—2009), 536total pages (incl. pp. i-xxxii, 1-502).

3. IEEE Draft P802.11-REVmb™/D12, November 2011 (Revision of IEEE Std802.11™-2007 as amended by IEEE Std 802.11k™-2008, IEEE Std802.11r™-2008, IEEE Std 802.11y™-2008, IEEE Std 802.11w™-2009, IEEE Std802.11n™-2009, IEEE Std 802.11p™-2010, IEEE Std 802.11z™-2010, IEEE Std802.11v™-2011, IEEE Std 802.11u™-2011, and IEEE Std 802.11s™-2011),“IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunications andinformation exchange between systems—Local and metropolitan areanetworks—Specific requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications,” Prepared by the802.11 Working Group of the LAN/MAN Standards Committee of the IEEEComputer Society, 2910 total pages (incl. pp. i-cxxviii, 1-2782).

4. IEEE P802.11ac™/D2.1, March 2012, “Draft STANDARD for InformationTechnology—Telecommunications and information exchange betweensystems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements, Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)specifications, Amendment 4: Enhancements for Very High Throughput forOperation in Bands below 6 GHz,” Prepared by the 802.11 Working Group ofthe 802 Committee, 363 total pages (incl. pp. i-xxv, 1-338).

5. IEEE P802.11ad™/D6.0, March 2012, (Draft Amendment based on IEEEP802.11REVmb D12.0), (Amendment to IEEE P802.11REVmb D12.0 as amended byIEEE 802.11ae D8.0 and IEEE 802.11aa D9.0), “IEEE P802.11ad™/D6.0 DraftStandard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and InformationExchange Between Systems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—SpecificRequirements—Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) andPhysical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Amendment 3: Enhancements for VeryHigh Throughput in the 60 GHz Band,” Sponsor: IEEE 802.11 Committee ofthe IEEE Computer Society, IEEE-SA Standards Board, 664 total pages.

6. IEEE Std 802.11 ae™—2012, “IEEE Standard for Informationtechnology—Telecommunications and information exchange betweensystems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements; Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications,” “Amendment 1: Prioritization of Management Frames,”IEEE Computer Society, Sponsored by the LAN/MAN Standards Committee,IEEE Std 802.11ae™-2012, (Amendment to IEEE Std 802.11™-2012), 52 totalpages (incl. pp. i-xii, 1-38).

7. IEEE P802.11af™/D1.06, March 2012, (Amendment to IEEE Std802.11REVmb™/D12.0 as amended by IEEE Std 802.11ae™/D8.0, IEEE Std802.11aa™/D9.0, IEEE Std 802.11ad™/D5.0, and IEEE Std 802.11ac™/D2.0),“Draft Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications andinformation exchange between systems—Local and metropolitan areanetworks—Specific requirements—Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Amendment 5: TVWhite Spaces Operation,” Prepared by the 802.11 Working Group of theIEEE 802 Committee, 140 total pages (incl. pp. i-xxii, 1-118).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to communication systems; and, moreparticularly, it relates to effectuating long range and low ratewireless communications within such communication systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire linedcommunications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices.Such communication systems range from national and/or internationalcellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-homewireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, andhence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards.For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordancewith one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11x,Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access(CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS),multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variationsthereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, et cetera communicates directlyor indirectly with other wireless communication devices. For directcommunications (also known as point-to-point communications), theparticipating wireless communication devices tune their receivers andtransmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of the pluralityof radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system)and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wirelesscommunications, each wireless communication device communicates directlywith an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or anassociated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wirelessnetwork) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connectionbetween the wireless communication devices, the associated base stationsand/or associated access points communicate with each other directly,via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, viathe Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

For each wireless communication device to participate in wirelesscommunications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiverand transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g.,a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communicationnetworks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the receiver is coupled to theantenna and includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediatefrequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The lownoise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna andamplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix theamplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert theamplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF)signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IFsignals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filteredsignals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filteredsignals in accordance with the particular wireless communicationstandard.

As is also known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, oneor more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The datamodulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordancewith a particular wireless communication standard. The one or moreintermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or morelocal oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifiesthe RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.

Typically, the transmitter will include one antenna for transmitting theRF signals, which are received by a single antenna, or multiple antennae(alternatively, antennas), of a receiver. When the receiver includes twoor more antennae, the receiver will select one of them to receive theincoming RF signals. In this instance, the wireless communicationbetween the transmitter and receiver is a single-output-single-input(SISO) communication, even if the receiver includes multiple antennaethat are used as diversity antennae (i.e., selecting one of them toreceive the incoming RF signals). For SISO wireless communications, atransceiver includes one transmitter and one receiver. Currently, mostwireless local area networks (WLAN) that are IEEE 802.11, 802.11a,802.11b, or 802.11g employ SISO wireless communications.

Other types of wireless communications includesingle-input-multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input-single-output(MISO), and multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO). In a SIMO wirelesscommunication, a single transmitter processes data into radio frequencysignals that are transmitted to a receiver. The receiver includes two ormore antennae and two or more receiver paths. Each of the antennaereceives the RF signals and provides them to a corresponding receiverpath (e.g., LNA, down conversion module, filters, and ADCs). Each of thereceiver paths processes the received RF signals to produce digitalsignals, which are combined and then processed to recapture thetransmitted data.

For a multiple-input-single-output (MISO) wireless communication, thetransmitter includes two or more transmission paths (e.g., digital toanalog converter, filters, up-conversion module, and a power amplifier)that each converts a corresponding portion of baseband signals into RFsignals, which are transmitted via corresponding antennae to a receiver.The receiver includes a single receiver path that receives the multipleRF signals from the transmitter. In this instance, the receiver usesbeam forming to combine the multiple RF signals into one signal forprocessing.

For a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication, thetransmitter and receiver each include multiple paths. In such acommunication, the transmitter parallel processes data using a spatialand time encoding function to produce two or more streams of data. Thetransmitter includes multiple transmission paths to convert each streamof data into multiple RF signals. The receiver receives the multiple RFsignals via multiple receiver paths that recapture the streams of datautilizing a spatial and time decoding function. The recaptured streamsof data are combined and subsequently processed to recover the originaldata.

With the various types of wireless communications (e.g., SISO, MISO,SIMO, and MIMO), it would be desirable to use one or more types ofwireless communications to enhance data throughput within a WLAN. Forexample, high data rates can be achieved with MIMO communications incomparison to SISO communications. However, most WLAN include legacywireless communication devices (i.e., devices that are compliant with anolder version of a wireless communication standard). As such, atransmitter capable of MIMO wireless communications should also bebackward compatible with legacy devices to function in a majority ofexisting WLANs.

Therefore, a need exists for a WLAN device that is capable of high datathroughput and is backward compatible with legacy devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a radio frequency (RF)transmitter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an RF receiver.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for basebandprocessing of data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method that furtherdefines Step 120 of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7-9 are diagrams illustrating various embodiments for encoding thescrambled data.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a radiotransmitter.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a radioreceiver.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an access point (AP)and multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) devices operatingaccording to one or more various aspects and/or embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication device, and clusters, as may be employed for supportingcommunications with at least one additional wireless communicationdevice.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing).

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of down-clocking for by differentrespective transceiver sections within a communication device.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of bandwidth partitioning into variouschannels, which may be of different widths, and partitioning of channelsinto sub-channels.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of bandwidth partitioning into variouschannels, which may be of common/uniform widths, and partitioning ofchannels into sub-channels.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment of bandwidth partitioninginto various channels.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of bandwidth assignment among variouschannels for use in transmission and/or reception by various wirelesscommunication devices.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a communication device in whichbits corresponding respectively to different channels undergo encodingusing a common encoder.

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a communication device in whichbits corresponding respectively to different channels undergo encodingusing different respective encoders.

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of a communication device in which anycombinations of bits corresponding respectively to different channelsundergo encoding using different respective encoders.

FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of repetition encoding in the timedomain.

FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of repetition encoding in thefrequency domain.

FIG. 25 illustrates various embodiments of a communication device.

FIG. 26A, FIG. 26B, FIG. 27A, and FIG. 27B are diagrams illustratingembodiments of methods for operating one or more wireless communicationdevices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system 10 that includes a plurality of base stationsand/or access points 12-16, a plurality of wireless communicationdevices 18-32 and a network hardware component 34. The wirelesscommunication devices 18-32 may be laptop host computers 18 and 26,personal digital assistant hosts 20 and 30, personal computer hosts 24and 32 and/or cellular telephone hosts 22 and 28. The details of anembodiment of such wireless communication devices are described ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 2.

The base stations (BSs) or access points (APs) 12-16 are operablycoupled to the network hardware 34 via local area network connections36, 38 and 40. The network hardware 34, which may be a router, switch,bridge, modem, system controller, etc., provides a wide area networkconnection 42 for the communication system 10. Each of the base stationsor access points 12-16 has an associated antenna or antenna array tocommunicate with the wireless communication devices in its area.Typically, the wireless communication devices register with a particularbase station or access point 12-14 to receive services from thecommunication system 10. For direct connections (i.e., point-to-pointcommunications), wireless communication devices communicate directly viaan allocated channel.

Typically, base stations are used for cellular telephone systems (e.g.,advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system formobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), localmulti-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-pointdistribution systems (MMDS), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), high-speed downlink packetaccess (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSDPA and/or variationsthereof) and like-type systems, while access points are used for in-homeor in-building wireless networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee,any other type of radio frequency based network protocol and/orvariations thereof). Regardless of the particular type of communicationsystem, each wireless communication device includes a built-in radioand/or is coupled to a radio. Such wireless communication devices mayoperate in accordance with the various aspects of the invention aspresented herein to enhance performance, reduce costs, reduce size,and/or enhance broadband applications.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication device that includes the host device 18-32 and anassociated radio 60. For cellular telephone hosts, the radio 60 is abuilt-in component. For personal digital assistants hosts, laptop hosts,and/or personal computer hosts, the radio 60 may be built-in or anexternally coupled component. For access points or base stations, thecomponents are typically housed in a single structure.

As illustrated, the host device 18-32 includes a processing module 50,memory 52, radio interface 54, input interface 58 and output interface56. The processing module 50 and memory 52 execute the correspondinginstructions that are typically done by the host device. For example,for a cellular telephone host device, the processing module 50 performsthe corresponding communication functions in accordance with aparticular cellular telephone standard.

The radio interface 54 allows data to be received from and sent to theradio 60. For data received from the radio 60 (e.g., inbound data), theradio interface 54 provides the data to the processing module 50 forfurther processing and/or routing to the output interface 56. The outputinterface 56 provides connectivity to an output display device such as adisplay, monitor, speakers, etc. such that the received data may bedisplayed. The radio interface 54 also provides data from the processingmodule 50 to the radio 60. The processing module 50 may receive theoutbound data from an input device such as a keyboard, keypad,microphone, etc. via the input interface 58 or generate the data itself.For data received via the input interface 58, the processing module 50may perform a corresponding host function on the data and/or route it tothe radio 60 via the radio interface 54.

Radio 60 includes a host interface 62, a baseband processing module 64,memory 66, a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmitters 68-72, atransmit/receive (T/R) module 74, a plurality of antennae 82-86, aplurality of RF receivers 76-80, and a local oscillation module 100. Thebaseband processing module 64, in combination with operationalinstructions stored in memory 66, execute digital receiver functions anddigital transmitter functions, respectively. The digital receiverfunctions, as will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG.11B, include, but are not limited to, digital intermediate frequency tobaseband conversion, demodulation, constellation demapping, decoding,de-interleaving, fast Fourier transform, cyclic prefix removal, spaceand time decoding, and/or descrambling. The digital transmitterfunctions, as will be described in greater detail with reference tolater Figures, include, but are not limited to, scrambling, encoding,interleaving, constellation mapping, modulation, inverse fast Fouriertransform, cyclic prefix addition, space and time encoding, and/ordigital baseband to IF conversion. The baseband processing modules 64may be implemented using one or more processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory 66 may be a single memory device or a pluralityof memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that when the processing module 64 implementsone or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing thecorresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the radio 60 receives outbound data 88 from the hostdevice via the host interface 62. The baseband processing module 64receives the outbound data 88 and, based on a mode selection signal 102,produces one or more outbound symbol streams 90. The mode selectionsignal 102 will indicate a particular mode as are illustrated in themode selection tables, which appear at the end of the detaileddiscussion. For example, the mode selection signal 102, with referenceto table 1 may indicate a frequency band of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, a channelbandwidth of 20 or 22 MHz (e.g., channels of 20 or 22 MHz width) and amaximum bit rate of 54 megabits-per-second. In other embodiments, thechannel bandwidth may extend up to 1.28 GHz or wider with supportedmaximum bit rates extending to 1 gigabit-per-second or greater. In thisgeneral category, the mode selection signal will further indicate aparticular rate ranging from 1 megabit-per-second to 54megabits-per-second. In addition, the mode selection signal willindicate a particular type of modulation, which includes, but is notlimited to, Barker Code Modulation, BPSK, QPSK, CCK, 16 QAM and/or 64QAM. As is further illustrated in table 1, a code rate is supplied aswell as number of coded bits per sub-carrier (NBPSC), coded bits perOFDM symbol (NCBPS), data bits per OFDM symbol (NDBPS).

The mode selection signal may also indicate a particular channelizationfor the corresponding mode which for the information in table 1 isillustrated in table 2. As shown, table 2 includes a channel number andcorresponding center frequency. The mode select signal may furtherindicate a power spectral density mask value which for table 1 isillustrated in table 3. The mode select signal may alternativelyindicate rates within table 4 that has a 5 GHz frequency band, 20 MHzchannel bandwidth and a maximum bit rate of 54 megabits-per-second. Ifthis is the particular mode select, the channelization is illustrated intable 5. As a further alternative, the mode select signal 102 mayindicate a 2.4 GHz frequency band, 20 MHz channels and a maximum bitrate of 192 megabits-per-second as illustrated in table 6. In table 6, anumber of antennae may be utilized to achieve the higher bit rates. Inthis instance, the mode select would further indicate the number ofantennae to be utilized. Table 7 illustrates the channelization for theset-up of table 6. Table 8 illustrates yet another mode option where thefrequency band is 2.4 GHz, the channel bandwidth is 20 MHz and themaximum bit rate is 192 megabits-per-second. The corresponding table 8includes various bit rates ranging from 12 megabits-per-second to 216megabits-per-second utilizing 2-4 antennae and a spatial time encodingrate as indicated. Table 9 illustrates the channelization for table 8.The mode select signal 102 may further indicate a particular operatingmode as illustrated in table 10, which corresponds to a 5 GHz frequencyband having 40 MHz frequency band having 40 MHz channels and a maximumbit rate of 486 megabits-per-second. As shown in table 10, the bit ratemay range from 13.5 megabits-per-second to 486 megabits-per-secondutilizing 1-4 antennae and a corresponding spatial time code rate. Table10 further illustrates a particular modulation scheme code rate andNBPSC values. Table 11 provides the power spectral density mask fortable 10 and table 12 provides the channelization for table 10.

It is of course noted that other types of channels, having differentbandwidths, may be employed in other embodiments without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention. For example, various otherchannels such as those having 80 MHz, 120 MHz, and/or 160 MHz ofbandwidth may alternatively be employed such as in accordance with IEEETask Group ac (TGac VHTL6).

The baseband processing module 64, based on the mode selection signal102 produces the one or more outbound symbol streams 90, as will befurther described with reference to FIGS. 5-9 from the output data 88.For example, if the mode selection signal 102 indicates that a singletransmit antenna is being utilized for the particular mode that has beenselected, the baseband processing module 64 will produce a singleoutbound symbol stream 90. Alternatively, if the mode select signalindicates 2, 3 or 4 antennae, the baseband processing module 64 willproduce 2, 3 or 4 outbound symbol streams 90 corresponding to the numberof antennae from the output data 88.

Depending on the number of outbound streams 90 produced by the basebandmodule 64, a corresponding number of the RF transmitters 68-72 will beenabled to convert the outbound symbol streams 90 into outbound RFsignals 92. The implementation of the RF transmitters 68-72 will befurther described with reference to FIG. 3. The transmit/receive module74 receives the outbound RF signals 92 and provides each outbound RFsignal to a corresponding antenna 82-86.

When the radio 60 is in the receive mode, the transmit/receive module 74receives one or more inbound RF signals via the antennae 82-86. The T/Rmodule 74 provides the inbound RF signals 94 to one or more RF receivers76-80. The RF receiver 76-80, which will be described in greater detailwith reference to FIG. 4, converts the inbound RF signals 94 into acorresponding number of inbound symbol streams 96. The number of inboundsymbol streams 96 will correspond to the particular mode in which thedata was received (recall that the mode may be any one of the modesillustrated in tables 1-12). The baseband processing module 64 receivesthe inbound symbol streams 90 and converts them into inbound data 98,which is provided to the host device 18-32 via the host interface 62.

In one embodiment of radio 60 it includes a transmitter and a receiver.The transmitter may include a MAC module, a PLCP module, and a PMDmodule. The Medium Access Control (MAC) module, which may be implementedwith the processing module 64, is operably coupled to convert a MACService Data Unit (MSDU) into a MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) inaccordance with a WLAN protocol. The Physical Layer ConvergenceProcedure (PLCP) Module, which may be implemented in the processingmodule 64, is operably coupled to convert the MPDU into a PLCP ProtocolData Unit (PPDU) in accordance with the WLAN protocol. The PhysicalMedium Dependent (PMD) module is operably coupled to convert the PPDUinto a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals in accordance with oneof a plurality of operating modes of the WLAN protocol, wherein theplurality of operating modes includes multiple input and multiple outputcombinations.

An embodiment of the Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) module, which willbe described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B,includes an error protection module, a demultiplexing module, and aplurality of direction conversion modules. The error protection module,which may be implemented in the processing module 64, is operablycoupled to restructure a PPDU (PLCP (Physical Layer ConvergenceProcedure) Protocol Data Unit) to reduce transmission errors producingerror protected data. The demultiplexing module is operably coupled todivide the error protected data into a plurality of error protected datastreams The plurality of direct conversion modules is operably coupledto convert the plurality of error protected data streams into aplurality of radio frequency (RF) signals.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the wirelesscommunication device of FIG. 2 may be implemented using one or moreintegrated circuits. For example, the host device may be implemented onone integrated circuit, the baseband processing module 64 and memory 66may be implemented on a second integrated circuit, and the remainingcomponents of the radio 60, less the antennae 82-86, may be implementedon a third integrated circuit. As an alternate example, the radio 60 maybe implemented on a single integrated circuit. As yet another example,the processing module 50 of the host device and the baseband processingmodule 64 may be a common processing device implemented on a singleintegrated circuit. Further, the memory 52 and memory 66 may beimplemented on a single integrated circuit and/or on the same integratedcircuit as the common processing modules of processing module 50 and thebaseband processing module 64.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a radio frequency (RF)transmitter 68-72, or RF front-end, of the WLAN transmitter. The RFtransmitter 68-72 includes a digital filter and up-sampling module 75, adigital-to-analog conversion module 77, an analog filter 79, andup-conversion module 81, a power amplifier 83 and a RF filter 85. Thedigital filter and up-sampling module 75 receives one of the outboundsymbol streams 90 and digitally filters it and then up-samples the rateof the symbol streams to a desired rate to produce the filtered symbolstreams 87. The digital-to-analog conversion module 77 converts thefiltered symbols 87 into analog signals 89. The analog signals mayinclude an in-phase component and a quadrature component.

The analog filter 79 filters the analog signals 89 to produce filteredanalog signals 91. The up-conversion module 81, which may include a pairof mixers and a filter, mixes the filtered analog signals 91 with alocal oscillation 93, which is produced by local oscillation module 100,to produce high frequency signals 95. The frequency of the highfrequency signals 95 corresponds to the frequency of the outbound RFsignals 92.

The power amplifier 83 amplifies the high frequency signals 95 toproduce amplified high frequency signals 97. The RF filter 85, which maybe a high frequency band-pass filter, filters the amplified highfrequency signals 97 to produce the desired output RF signals 92.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, each of the radiofrequency transmitters 68-72 will include a similar architecture asillustrated in FIG. 3 and further include a shut-down mechanism suchthat when the particular radio frequency transmitter is not required, itis disabled in such a manner that it does not produce interferingsignals and/or noise.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an RF receiver. Thismay depict any one of the RF receivers 76-80. In this embodiment, eachof the RF receivers 76-80 includes an RF filter 101, a low noiseamplifier (LNA) 103, a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) 105, adown-conversion module 107, an analog filter 109, an analog-to-digitalconversion module 111 and a digital filter and down-sampling module 113.The RF filter 101, which may be a high frequency band-pass filter,receives the inbound RF signals 94 and filters them to produce filteredinbound RF signals. The low noise amplifier 103 amplifies the filteredinbound RF signals 94 based on a gain setting and provides the amplifiedsignals to the programmable gain amplifier 105. The programmable gainamplifier further amplifies the inbound RF signals 94 before providingthem to the down-conversion module 107.

The down-conversion module 107 includes a pair of mixers, a summationmodule, and a filter to mix the inbound RF signals with a localoscillation (LO) that is provided by the local oscillation module toproduce analog baseband signals. The analog filter 109 filters theanalog baseband signals and provides them to the analog-to-digitalconversion module 111 which converts them into a digital signal. Thedigital filter and down-sampling module 113 filters the digital signalsand then adjusts the sampling rate to produce the digital samples(corresponding to the inbound symbol streams 96).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for basebandprocessing of data. This diagram shows a method for converting outbounddata 88 into one or more outbound symbol streams 90 by the basebandprocessing module 64. The process begins at Step 110 where the basebandprocessing module receives the outbound data 88 and a mode selectionsignal 102. The mode selection signal may indicate any one of thevarious modes of operation as indicated in tables 1-12. The process thenproceeds to Step 112 where the baseband processing module scrambles thedata in accordance with a pseudo random sequence to produce scrambleddata. Note that the pseudo random sequence may be generated from afeedback shift register with the generator polynomial of S(x)=x⁷+x⁴+1.

The process then proceeds to Step 114 where the baseband processingmodule selects one of a plurality of encoding modes based on the modeselection signal. The process then proceeds to Step 116 where thebaseband processing module encodes the scrambled data in accordance witha selected encoding mode to produce encoded data. The encoding may bedone utilizing any one or more a variety of coding schemes (e.g.,convolutional coding, Reed-Solomon (RS) coding, turbo coding, turbotrellis coded modulation (TTCM) coding, LDPC (Low Density Parity Check)coding, etc.).

The process then proceeds to Step 118 where the baseband processingmodule determines a number of transmit streams based on the mode selectsignal. For example, the mode select signal will select a particularmode which indicates that 1, 2, 3, 4 or more antennae may be utilizedfor the transmission. Accordingly, the number of transmit streams willcorrespond to the number of antennae indicated by the mode selectsignal. The process then proceeds to Step 120 where the basebandprocessing module converts the encoded data into streams of symbols inaccordance with the number of transmit streams in the mode selectsignal. This step will be described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method that furtherdefines Step 120 of FIG. 5. This diagram shows a method performed by thebaseband processing module to convert the encoded data into streams ofsymbols in accordance with the number of transmit streams and the modeselect signal. Such processing begins at Step 122 where the basebandprocessing module interleaves the encoded data over multiple symbols andsub-carriers of a channel to produce interleaved data. In general, theinterleaving process is designed to spread the encoded data overmultiple symbols and transmit streams. This allows improved detectionand error correction capability at the receiver. In one embodiment, theinterleaving process will follow the IEEE 802.11(a) or (g) standard forbackward compatible modes. For higher performance modes (e.g., IEEE802.11(n), the interleaving will also be done over multiple transmitpaths or streams.

The process then proceeds to Step 124 where the baseband processingmodule demultiplexes the interleaved data into a number of parallelstreams of interleaved data. The number of parallel streams correspondsto the number of transmit streams, which in turn corresponds to thenumber of antennae indicated by the particular mode being utilized. Theprocess then continues to Steps 126 and 128, where for each of theparallel streams of interleaved data, the baseband processing modulemaps the interleaved data into a quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM)symbol to produce frequency domain symbols at Step 126. At Step 128, thebaseband processing module converts the frequency domain symbols intotime domain symbols, which may be done utilizing an inverse fast Fouriertransform. The conversion of the frequency domain symbols into the timedomain symbols may further include adding a cyclic prefix to allowremoval of intersymbol interference at the receiver. Note that thelength of the inverse fast Fourier transform and cyclic prefix aredefined in the mode tables of tables 1-12. In general, a 64-pointinverse fast Fourier transform is employed for 20 MHz channels and128-point inverse fast Fourier transform is employed for 40 MHzchannels.

The process then proceeds to Step 130 where the baseband processingmodule space and time encodes the time domain symbols for each of theparallel streams of interleaved data to produce the streams of symbols.In one embodiment, the space and time encoding may be done by space andtime encoding the time domain symbols of the parallel streams ofinterleaved data into a corresponding number of streams of symbolsutilizing an encoding matrix. Alternatively, the space and time encodingmay be done by space and time encoding the time domain symbols ofM-parallel streams of interleaved data into P-streams of symbolsutilizing the encoding matrix, where P=2M In one embodiment the encodingmatrix may comprise a form of:

$\begin{bmatrix}C_{1} & C_{2} & C_{3} & C_{4} & \ldots & C_{{2M} - 1} & C_{2M} \\{- C_{2}^{*}} & C_{1}^{*} & {- C_{4}^{*}} & C_{3}^{*} & \ldots & {- C_{2M}^{*}} & C_{{2M} - 1}\end{bmatrix}\quad$

The number of rows of the encoding matrix corresponds to M and thenumber of columns of the encoding matrix corresponds to P. Theparticular symbol values of the constants within the encoding matrix maybe real or imaginary numbers.

FIGS. 7-9 are diagrams illustrating various embodiments for encoding thescrambled data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of one method that may be utilized by the basebandprocessing module to encode the scrambled data at Step 116 of FIG. 5. Inthis method, the encoding of FIG. 7 may include an optional Step 144where the baseband processing module may optionally perform encodingwith an outer Reed-Solomon (RS) code to produce RS encoded data. It isnoted that Step 144 may be conducted in parallel with Step 140 describedbelow.

Also, the process continues at Step 140 where the baseband processingmodule performs a convolutional encoding with a 64 state code andgenerator polynomials of G₀=133₈ and G₁=171₈ on the scrambled data (thatmay or may not have undergone RS encoding) to produce convolutionalencoded data. The process then proceeds to Step 142 where the basebandprocessing module punctures the convolutional encoded data at one of aplurality of rates in accordance with the mode selection signal toproduce the encoded data. Note that the puncture rates may include 1/2,2/3 and/or 3/4, or any rate as specified in tables 1-12. Note that, fora particular, mode, the rate may be selected for backward compatibilitywith IEEE 802.11(a), IEEE 802.11(g), or IEEE 802.11(n) raterequirements.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another encoding method that may be utilized bythe baseband processing module to encode the scrambled data at Step 116of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the encoding of FIG. 8 may include anoptional Step 148 where the baseband processing module may optionallyperform encoding with an outer RS code to produce RS encoded data. It isnoted that Step 148 may be conducted in parallel with Step 146 describedbelow.

The method then continues at Step 146 where the baseband processingmodule encodes the scrambled data (that may or may not have undergone RSencoding) in accordance with a complimentary code keying (CCK) code toproduce the encoded data. This may be done in accordance with IEEE802.11(b) specifications, IEEE 802.11(g), and/or IEEE 802.11(n)specifications.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of yet another method for encoding the scrambleddata at Step 116, which may be performed by the baseband processingmodule. In this embodiment, the encoding of FIG. 9 may include anoptional Step 154 where the baseband processing module may optionallyperform encoding with an outer RS code to produce RS encoded data.

Then, in some embodiments, the process continues at Step 150 where thebaseband processing module performs LDPC (Low Density Parity Check)coding on the scrambled data (that may or may not have undergone RSencoding) to produce LDPC coded bits. Alternatively, the Step 150 mayoperate by performing convolutional encoding with a 256 state code andgenerator polynomials of G₀=561₈ and G₁=753₈ on the scrambled data thescrambled data (that may or may not have undergone RS encoding) toproduce convolutional encoded data. The process then proceeds to Step152 where the baseband processing module punctures the convolutionalencoded data at one of the plurality of rates in accordance with a modeselection signal to produce encoded data. Note that the puncture rate isindicated in the tables 1-12 for the corresponding mode.

The encoding of FIG. 9 may further include the optional Step 154 wherethe baseband processing module combines the convolutional encoding withan outer Reed Solomon code to produce the convolutional encoded data.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a radiotransmitter. This may involve the PMD module of a WLAN transmitter. InFIG. 10A, the baseband processing is shown to include a scrambler 172,channel encoder 174, interleaver 176, demultiplexer 170, a plurality ofsymbol mappers 180-184, a plurality of inverse fast Fourier transform(IFFT)/cyclic prefix addition modules 186-190 and a space/time encoder192. The baseband portion of the transmitter may further include a modemanager module 175 that receives the mode selection signal 173 andproduces settings 179 for the radio transmitter portion and produces therate selection 171 for the baseband portion. In this embodiment, thescrambler 172, the channel encoder 174, and the interleaver 176 comprisean error protection module. The symbol mappers 180-184, the plurality ofIFFT/cyclic prefix modules 186-190, the space time encoder 192 comprisea portion of the digital baseband processing module.

In operations, the scrambler 172 adds (e.g., in a Galois Finite Field(GF2)) a pseudo random sequence to the outbound data bits 88 to make thedata appear random. A pseudo random sequence may be generated from afeedback shift register with the generator polynomial of S(x)=x⁷+x⁴+1 toproduce scrambled data. The channel encoder 174 receives the scrambleddata and generates a new sequence of bits with redundancy. This willenable improved detection at the receiver. The channel encoder 174 mayoperate in one of a plurality of modes. For example, for backwardcompatibility with IEEE 802.11(a) and IEEE 802.11(g), the channelencoder has the form of a rate 1/2 convolutional encoder with 64 statesand a generator polynomials of G₀=133₈ and G₁=171₈. The output of theconvolutional encoder may be punctured to rates of 1/2, 2/3, and 3/4according to the specified rate tables (e.g., tables 1-12). For backwardcompatibility with IEEE 802.11(b) and the CCK modes of IEEE 802.11(g),the channel encoder has the form of a CCK code as defined in IEEE802.11(b). For higher data rates (such as those illustrated in tables 6,8 and 10), the channel encoder may use the same convolution encoding asdescribed above or it may use a more powerful code, including aconvolutional code with more states, any one or more of the varioustypes of error correction codes (ECCs) mentioned above (e.g., RS, LDPC,turbo, TTCM, etc.) a parallel concatenated (turbo) code and/or a lowdensity parity check (LDPC) block code. Further, any one of these codesmay be combined with an outer Reed Solomon code. Based on a balancing ofperformance, backward compatibility and low latency, one or more ofthese codes may be optimal. Note that the concatenated turbo encodingand low density parity check will be described in greater detail withreference to subsequent Figures.

The interleaver 176 receives the encoded data and spreads it overmultiple symbols and transmit streams. This allows improved detectionand error correction capabilities at the receiver. In one embodiment,the interleaver 176 will follow the IEEE 802.11(a) or (g) standard inthe backward compatible modes. For higher performance modes (e.g., suchas those illustrated in tables 6, 8 and 10), the interleaver willinterleave data over multiple transmit streams. The demultiplexer 170converts the serial interleave stream from interleaver 176 intoM-parallel streams for transmission.

Each symbol mapper 180-184 receives a corresponding one of theM-parallel paths of data from the demultiplexer. Each symbol mapper180-182 lock maps bit streams to quadrature amplitude modulated QAMsymbols (e.g., BPSK, QPSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, 256 QAM, etc.) according tothe rate tables (e.g., tables 1-12). For IEEE 802.11(a) backwardcompatibility, double Gray coding may be used.

The map symbols produced by each of the symbol mappers 180-184 areprovided to the IFFT/cyclic prefix addition modules 186-190, whichperforms frequency domain to time domain conversions and adds a prefix,which allows removal of inter-symbol interference at the receiver. Notethat the length of the IFFT and cyclic prefix are defined in the modetables of tables 1-12. In general, a 64-point IFFT will be used for 20MHz channels and 128-point IFFT will be used for 40 MHz channels.

The space/time encoder 192 receives the M-parallel paths of time domainsymbols and converts them into P-output symbols. In one embodiment, thenumber of M-input paths will equal the number of P-output paths. Inanother embodiment, the number of output paths P will equal 2M paths.For each of the paths, the space/time encoder multiples the inputsymbols with an encoding matrix that has the form of

$\begin{bmatrix}C_{1} & C_{2} & C_{3} & C_{4} & \ldots & C_{{2M} - 1} & C_{2M} \\{- C_{2}^{*}} & C_{1}^{*} & {- C_{4}^{*}} & C_{3}^{*} & \ldots & {- C_{2M}^{*}} & C_{{2M} - 1}\end{bmatrix}.$

The rows of the encoding matrix correspond to the number of input pathsand the columns correspond to the number of output paths.

FIG. 10B illustrates the radio portion of the transmitter that includesa plurality of digital filter/up-sampling modules 194-198,digital-to-analog conversion modules 200-204, analog filters 206-216, FQmodulators 218-222, RF amplifiers 224-228, RF filters 230-234 andantennae 236-240. The P-outputs from the space/time encoder 192 arereceived by respective digital filtering/up-sampling modules 194-198. Inone embodiment, the digital filters/up sampling modules 194-198 are partof the digital baseband processing module and the remaining componentscomprise the plurality of RF front-ends. In such an embodiment, thedigital baseband processing module and the RF front end comprise adirect conversion module.

In operation, the number of radio paths that are active correspond tothe number of P-outputs. For example, if only one P-output path isgenerated, only one of the radio transmitter paths will be active. Asone of average skill in the art will appreciate, the number of outputpaths may range from one to any desired number.

The digital filtering/up-sampling modules 194-198 filter thecorresponding symbols and adjust the sampling rates to correspond withthe desired sampling rates of the digital-to-analog conversion modules200-204. The digital-to-analog conversion modules 200-204 convert thedigital filtered and up-sampled signals into corresponding in-phase andquadrature analog signals. The analog filters 206-214 filter thecorresponding in-phase and/or quadrature components of the analogsignals, and provide the filtered signals to the corresponding I/Qmodulators 218-222. The FQ modulators 218-222 based on a localoscillation, which is produced by a local oscillator 100, up-convertsthe FQ signals into radio frequency signals.

The RF amplifiers 224-228 amplify the RF signals which are thensubsequently filtered via RF filters 230-234 before being transmittedvia antennae 236-240.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a radioreceiver (as shown by reference numeral 250). These diagrams illustratea schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a receiver. FIG. 11Aillustrates the analog portion of the receiver which includes aplurality of receiver paths. Each receiver path includes an antenna, RFfilters 252-256, low noise amplifiers 258-262, I/Q demodulators 264-268,analog filters 270-280, analog-to-digital converters 282-286 and digitalfilters and down-sampling modules 288-290.

In operation, the antennae receive inbound RF signals, which areband-pass filtered via the RF filters 252-256. The corresponding lownoise amplifiers 258-262 amplify the filtered signals and provide themto the corresponding I/Q demodulators 264-268. The I/Q demodulators264-268, based on a local oscillation, which is produced by localoscillator 100, down-converts the RF signals into baseband in-phase andquadrature analog signals.

The corresponding analog filters 270-280 filter the in-phase andquadrature analog components, respectively. The analog-to-digitalconverters 282-286 convert the in-phase and quadrature analog signalsinto a digital signal. The digital filtering and down-sampling modules288-290 filter the digital signals and adjust the sampling rate tocorrespond to the rate of the baseband processing, which will bedescribed in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 11B illustrates the baseband processing of a receiver. The basebandprocessing includes a space/time decoder 294, a plurality of fastFourier transform (FFT)/cyclic prefix removal modules 296-300, aplurality of symbol demapping modules 302-306, a multiplexer 308, adeinterleaver 310, a channel decoder 312, and a descramble module 314.The baseband processing module may further include a mode managingmodule 175, which produces rate selections 171 and settings 179 based onmode selections 173. The space/time decoding module 294, which performsthe inverse function of space/time encoder 192, receives P-inputs fromthe receiver paths and produce M-output paths. The M-output paths areprocessed via the FFT/cyclic prefix removal modules 296-300 whichperform the inverse function of the IFFT/cyclic prefix addition modules186-190 to produce frequency domain symbols.

The symbol demapping modules 302-306 convert the frequency domainsymbols into data utilizing an inverse process of the symbol mappers180-184. The multiplexer 308 combines the demapped symbol streams into asingle path.

The deinterleaver 310 deinterleaves the single path utilizing an inversefunction of the function performed by interleaver 176. The deinterleaveddata is then provided to the channel decoder 312 which performs theinverse function of channel encoder 174. The descrambler 314 receivesthe decoded data and performs the inverse function of scrambler 172 toproduce the inbound data 98.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an access point (AP)and multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) devices operatingaccording to one or more various aspects and/or embodiments of theinvention. The AP point 1200 may compatible with any number ofcommunication protocols and/or standards, e.g., IEEE 802.11(a), IEEE802.11(b), IEEE 802.11(g), IEEE 802.11(n), as well as in accordance withvarious aspects of invention. According to certain aspects of thepresent invention, the AP supports backwards compatibility with priorversions of the IEEE 802.11x standards as well. According to otheraspects of the present invention, the AP 1200 supports communicationswith the WLAN devices 1202, 1204, and 1206 with channel bandwidths, MIMOdimensions, and at data throughput rates unsupported by the prior IEEE802.11x operating standards. For example, the access point 1200 and WLANdevices 1202, 1204, and 1206 may support channel bandwidths from thoseof prior version devices and from 40 MHz to 1.28 GHz and above. Theaccess point 1200 and WLAN devices 1202, 1204, and 1206 support MIMOdimensions to 4×4 and greater. With these characteristics, the accesspoint 1200 and WLAN devices 1202, 1204, and 1206 may support datathroughput rates to 1 GHz and above.

The AP 1200 supports simultaneous communications with more than one ofthe WLAN devices 1202, 1204, and 1206. Simultaneous communications maybe serviced via OFDM tone allocations (e.g., certain number of OFDMtones in a given cluster), MIMO dimension multiplexing, or via othertechniques. With some simultaneous communications, the AP 1200 mayallocate one or more of the multiple antennae thereof respectively tosupport communication with each WLAN device 1202, 1204, and 1206, forexample.

Further, the AP 1200 and WLAN devices 1202, 1204, and 1206 are backwardscompatible with the IEEE 802.11 (a), (b), (g), and (n) operatingstandards. In supporting such backwards compatibility, these devicessupport signal formats and structures that are consistent with theseprior operating standards.

Generally, communications as described herein may be targeted forreception by a single receiver or for multiple individual receivers(e.g. via multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), and/orOFDMA transmissions, which are different than single transmissions witha multi-receiver address). For example, a single OFDMA transmission usesdifferent tones or sets of tones (e.g., clusters or channels) to senddistinct sets of information, each set of set of information transmittedto one or more receivers simultaneously in the time domain. Again, anOFDMA transmission sent to one user is equivalent to an OFDMtransmission (e.g., OFDM may be viewed as being a subset of OFDMA). Asingle MU-MIMO transmission may include spatially-diverse signals over acommon set of tones, each containing distinct information and eachtransmitted to one or more distinct receivers. Some single transmissionsmay be a combination of OFDMA and MU-MIMO. Multi-user (MU), as describedherein, may be viewed as being multiple users sharing at least onecluster (e.g., at least one channel within at least one band) at a sametime.

MIMO transceivers illustrated may include SISO, SIMO, and MISOtransceivers. The clusters employed for such communications (e.g., OFDMAcommunications) may be continuous (e.g., adjacent to one another) ordiscontinuous (e.g., separated by a guard interval of band gap).Transmissions on different OFDMA clusters may be simultaneous ornon-simultaneous. Such wireless communication devices as describedherein may be capable of supporting communications via a single clusteror any combination thereof. Legacy users and new version users (e.g.,TGac MU-MIMO, OFDMA, MU-MIMO/OFDMA, etc.) may share bandwidth at a giventime or they can be scheduled at different times for certainembodiments. Such a MU-MIMO/OFDMA transmitter (e.g., an AP or a STA) maytransmit packets to more than one receiving wireless communicationdevice (e.g., STA) on the same cluster (e.g., at least one channelwithin at least one band) in a single aggregated packet (such as beingtime multiplexed). In such an instance, channel training may be requiredfor all communication links to the respective receiving wirelesscommunication devices (e.g., STAs).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication device, and clusters, as may be employed for supportingcommunications with at least one additional wireless communicationdevice. Generally speaking, a cluster may be viewed as a depiction ofthe mapping of tones, such as for an OFDM symbol, within or among one ormore channels (e.g., sub-divided portions of the spectrum) that may besituated in one or more bands (e.g., portions of the spectrum separatedby relatively larger amounts). As an example, various channels of 20 MHzmay be situated within or centered around a 5 GHz band. The channelswithin any such band may be continuous (e.g., adjacent to one another)or discontinuous (e.g., separated by some guard interval or band gap).Oftentimes, one or more channels may be situated within a given band,and different bands need not necessarily have a same number of channelstherein. Again, a cluster may generally be understood as any combinationone or more channels among one or more bands.

The wireless communication device of this diagram may be of any of thevarious types and/or equivalents described herein (e.g., AP, WLANdevice, or other wireless communication device including, though notlimited to, any of those depicted in FIG. 1, etc.). The wirelesscommunication device includes multiple antennae from which one or moresignals may be transmitted to one or more receiving wirelesscommunication devices and/or received from one or more other wirelesscommunication devices.

Such clusters may be used for transmissions of signals via various oneor more selected antennae. For example, different clusters are shown asbeing used to transmit signals respectively using different one or moreantennae.

Also, it is noted that, with respect to certain embodiments, generalnomenclature may be employed wherein a transmitting wirelesscommunication device (e.g., such as being an Access point (AP), or awireless station (STA) operating as an ‘AP’ with respect to other STAs)initiates communications, and/or operates as a network controller typeof wireless communication device, with respect to a number of other,receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., such as being STAs), andthe receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., such as being STAs)responding to and cooperating with the transmitting wirelesscommunication device in supporting such communications. Of course, whilethis general nomenclature of transmitting wireless communicationdevice(s) and receiving wireless communication device(s) may be employedto differentiate the operations as performed by such different wirelesscommunication devices within a communication system, all such wirelesscommunication devices within such a communication system may of coursesupport bi-directional communications to and from other wirelesscommunication devices within the communication system. In other words,the various types of transmitting wireless communication device(s) andreceiving wireless communication device(s) may all supportbi-directional communications to and from other wireless communicationdevices within the communication system. Generally speaking, suchcapability, functionality, operations, etc. as described herein may beapplied to any wireless communication device.

Various aspects and principles, and their equivalents, of the inventionas presented herein may be adapted for use in various standards,protocols, and/or recommended practices (including those currently underdevelopment) such as those in accordance with IEEE 802.11x (e.g., wherex is a, b, g, n, ac, ad, ae, af, ah, etc.).

For example, the IEEE 802.11ah is a new protocol/standard currentlyunder development and is intended for long range and low rateapplications operating in worldwide spectrum below 1 GHz. The availablespectrum in each country differs and requires flexible design toaccommodate different options. As such, modifications to the IEEE 802.11standards, protocols, and/or recommended practices may be made toeffectuate longer delay spread and lower data rate applications such asmay be employed in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ah developingstandard.

Herein, certain adaptation and/or modification may be made with respectto IEEE 802.11ac standards, protocols, and/or recommended practices toprovide efficient support for longer delay spread and lower data rateapplications.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment 1400 of OFDM (Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiplexing). OFDM modulation may be viewed a dividing up anavailable spectrum into a plurality of narrowband sub-carriers (e.g.,lower data rate carriers). Typically, the frequency responses of thesesub-carriers are overlapping and orthogonal. Each sub-carrier may bemodulated using any of a variety of modulation coding techniques.

OFDM modulation operates by performing simultaneous transmission of alarger number of narrowband carriers (or multi-tones). Oftentimes aguard interval (GI) or guard space is also employed between the variousOFDM symbols to try to minimize the effects of ISI (Inter-SymbolInterference) that may be caused by the effects of multi-path within thecommunication system (which can be particularly of concern in wirelesscommunication systems). In addition, a CP (Cyclic Prefix) may also beemployed within the guard interval to allow switching time (when jumpingto a new band) and to help maintain orthogonality of the OFDM symbols.

Generally speaking, OFDM system design is based on the expected delayspread within the communication system (e.g., the expected delay spreadof the communication channel). The references [1], [2] and [3] indicatedelay spread in the order of several μsecs (e.g., in particular, ITU PedB has maximum delay spread of 3.7 μsecs). Therefore, down clocking ofthe IEEE 802.11ac physical layer (PHY) by at least a factor of 8 isoperative to generate a cyclic prefix (CP)=3.2 μsecs for the 1/8 optionand 6.4 μsecs for the 1/4 option allowing for efficient support for mostchannels using 1/8 CP and support for extreme channels using 1/4 CP. Forrelatively short indoor channels, support for 1/32 CP is recommended toimprove efficiency by 9% relative to 1/8 CP.

However, the available spectrum in the United States of America (USA)(26 MHz), Japan (8 MHz), Korea (6.5 MHz), and China (2/4/8/40 MHz) maybe better utilized with 2 MHz channels. In certain embodiments presentedherein, channels of bandwidth of 2 MHz are employed, as is describedelsewhere herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment 1500 of down-clocking for by differentrespective transceiver sections within a communication device. In thisembodiment, a single one down clocking ratio of 10 is operative togenerate 2/4/8/16 MHz channels for proposed IEEE 802.11ah in all regionsby co-opting the PHY definitions of IEEE 802.11ac (64/128/256/512 sizefast Fourier transform (FFT)).

This is operative to provide for an adequate CP size of 4 μsecs for 1/8while allowing for carrier frequency offset estimation of up to 62.5 kHzcomfortably above 40 parts per million (ppm) in S1G frequencies.

With respect to channelization, this is operative to support thirteen,six and three 2/4/8 MHz non-overlapping channels respectively in theUSA. Three 2 MHz channels may be employed in Korea.

This is operative to allow for 2 channels in the 863-868.6 MHz band inEurope. A slightly more optimized down-clocking by a factor of 11 wouldbe operative to include 3 channels into that band. Currently, Japaneseregulatory rules permit up to 1 MHz channels in Japan and this can beachieved by defining a new PHY with an FFT size 32.

As may be seen in the diagram, a first clock having a first frequency(e.g., CLK1) may be divided down by a factor of 10 to generate a secondhaving a second frequency (e.g., CLK1/10). Generally, a first set ofclock signals each having a respective and different first frequency maybe divided down by a factor of 10 to generate a second set of clocksignals each having a respective and different second frequency. Forexample, in one particular embodiment, a first set of clocksrespectively having frequencies of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and/or 160MHz may be divided down by a factor of 10 to generate a second set ofclock signals respectively having frequencies of 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 8 MHz,and/or 16 MHz. The first set of clocks (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz,and/or 160 MHz) may be used to operate the PHY of a first one or moretransceiver module/circuitry. The second set of clocks (e.g., 2 MHz, 4MHz, 8 MHz, and 10 MHz) may be used to operate the PHY of a second oneor more transceiver module/circuitry.

The different respective first and second clocks may be implemented andoperative for use (e.g., such as by the PHY) of a first and second oneor more transceiver modules/circuitries within the wirelesscommunication device.

Each of the respective clocks within the various sets may be selectivelyprovided to different portions of the first/second one or moretransceiver module/circuitry. That is to say, within the first/secondset of clocks, the different clocks therein may be provided to differentrespective portions of the first/second one or more transceivermodule/circuitry (e.g., 20 MHz to a first portion, 40 MHz to a secondportion, etc.). For example, the first clocks may be employed by a firstone or more transceiver modules/circuitries within the wirelesscommunication device, and a second clocks may be employed by a secondone or more transceiver modules/circuitries within the wirelesscommunication device.

It is of course noted that such respective transceivermodules/circuitries may respectively be implemented as having differentrespective transmitter and receiver components. In some embodiments, agiven communication device may include a singular set of transceivermodules/circuitries, and depending upon the frequency of the clocksignal provided thereto, signaling would be generated in accordance withone of any of a number of respective communication protocols, standards,and/or recommended practices. That is to say, when a first clockfrequency is employed, signaling may be generated in accordance with afirst communication protocol, standard, and/or recommended practice.Then, if a second clock frequency is employed (e.g., such as a downclocked version of the first clock frequency), then signaling may begenerated in accordance with a second communication protocol, standard,and/or recommended practice.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment 1600 of bandwidth partitioning intovarious channels, which may be of different widths, and partitioning ofchannels into sub-channels. This is operative to support fornon-contiguous operation, in that, the respective bandwidths of thechannels of a used spectrum portion may be non-uniform in spectralwidth. For example, this is operative to provide support fornon-contiguous 8 MHz channels (e.g., using a total of 16 MHz bandwidthby using two respective 8 MHz channel, such as 8+8) such as inaccordance with and adapted from IEEE 802.11ac.

However, due to the narrow bandwidth operation proposed herein for IEEE802.11ah, support for other combinations such as 8+2 (e.g., combinationof an 8 MHz channel and a 2 MHz channel), 4+4 (e.g., combination of two4 MHz channels), 2+2 (e.g., combination of two 2 MHz channels), 2+4(e.g., combination of a 4 MHz channel and a 2 MHz channel), etc. isproposed herein as well to provide improved diversity to the narrowbandchannels and also to provide improve access to the channel by utilizingvacant narrowband channels across the spectrum.

In accordance with this, the encoding process can be done using eitherof the following two options: (1) one encoder spanning the twonon-contiguous channels/bands (e.g., such as may be effectuated withrespect to FIG. 19), or (2) employing a separate encoder for eachsub-channel/band (e.g., such as may be effectuated with respect to FIG.20 and FIG. 21).

The radio frequency (RF) front end (e.g., an analog front end (AFE)) canuse either of the following two options: (2) one wideband front endcovering the two non-contiguous bands and the spectrum in between.Filtering of the undesired band is done in the digital domain, or (2)two separate RF carriers each with its own filters matched to eachsub-band or sub-channel.

The extension to 3 or more non-contiguous channels (and any combinationthereof) can be done on the same way.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment 1700 of bandwidth partitioning intovarious channels, which may be of common/uniform widths, andpartitioning of channels into sub-channels. This is operative to supportfor non-contiguous operation, in that, the respective bandwidths of thechannels of a used spectrum portion may be uniform in spectral width.For example, this is operative to provide support for non-contiguouschannels of a common bandwidth (e.g., each being of 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 8 MHz,or some other common/uniform width.

As within other embodiments, combinations of various bandwidth channelsmay also be effectuated (e.g., combination of 2, 3, or more channels) toprovide improved diversity to the narrowband channels and also toprovide improve access to the channel by utilizing vacant narrowbandchannels across the spectrum.

In accordance with this, the encoding process can be done using eitherof the following two options: (1) one encoder spanning the twonon-contiguous channels/bands (e.g., such as may be effectuated withrespect to FIG. 20), or (2) employing a separate encoder for eachsub-channel/band (e.g., such as may be effectuated with respect to FIG.21 and FIG. 22).

The radio frequency (RF) front end (e.g., an analog front end (AFE)) canuse either of the following two options: (2) one wideband front endcovering the two non-contiguous bands and the spectrum in between.Filtering of the undesired band is done in the digital domain, or (2)two separate RF carriers each with its own filters matched to eachsub-band or sub-channel.

Of course, extension to any number of non-contiguous channels (and anycombination thereof) can be done in an analogous manner.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative embodiment 1800 of bandwidthpartitioning into various channels. This top of this diagram shows anembodiment in which the respective bandwidths of the channels of a usedspectrum portion (e.g., ΔBW within the range of 902 to 928 MHz) arenon-uniform in spectral width (e.g., being 2/4/8 MHz in the topembodiment).

This bottom of this diagram shows an embodiment in which the respectivebandwidths of the channels of a used spectrum portion (e.g., ΔBW withinthe range of 902 to 928 MHz) are non-uniform in spectral width (e.g.,being 2/4/8/16 MHz in the bottom embodiment).

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment 1900 of bandwidth assignment amongvarious channels for use in transmission and/or reception by variouswireless communication devices. As a function of time, it may be seenthat the combination of channels used for transmission and/or receptionmay vary, and the respective duration of certain communications may varyin duration as well. In some embodiments, such channel assignment may bemade by a transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., AP). such atransmitting wireless communication device (e.g., AP) may operate bytransmitting some form of control, management, and/or other type offrame transmitting from the transmitting wireless communication device(e.g., AP) to a group of receiving wireless communication devices (e.g.,STAs) so that all of the wireless communication devices within thecommunication system know the channel assignment.

As may be seen, proceeding along the time axis from left to right, acombination of two contiguous channels (e.g., CH1 and CH2) is firstlyemployed for communications; the duration in which these two contiguouschannels are employed is Δt1. Next, a combination of threenon-contiguous channels (e.g., CH3, CH5, and CHn) is employed forcommunications; the duration in which these three non-contiguouschannels are employed is Δt2, which is different than t1.

Next, initial communications are performed using CH1, then CH4 is addedto grow the channel allocation/assignment/reservation (e.g., in which acombination to two contiguous channels are employed, CH1 and CH4), andthen CH6 is added to grow further the channelallocation/assignment/reservation (e.g., in which a combination of threecontiguous channels are employed, CH1, CH4, and CH6).

As may be understood with respect to this diagram, any combination ofchannels may be employed for transmission and/or reception by variouswireless communication devices during different respective timeintervals (that may differ in terms of duration/length).

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment 2000 of a communication device inwhich bits corresponding respectively to different channels undergoencoding using a common encoder. This diagram shows how differentlyselected bits (e.g., non-encoded bits) corresponding to differentchannel combinations (e.g., a combination being any combination of anyone or more channels) using a common encoder. However, the differentselected bits (e.g., non-encoded bits) may undergo encoding at differenttimes thereby generating different coded bit groups, which may betransmitted respectively at different times.

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment 2100 of a communication device inwhich bits corresponding respectively to different channels undergoencoding using different respective encoders. In this embodiment,differently selected bits (e.g., non-encoded bits) corresponding todifferent channels are respectively provided to different respectiveencoders (e.g., encoder 1, encoder 2, and so on up to encoder n) therebygenerating different coded bit groups (e.g., encoded bits 1, encodedbits 2, and so on up to encoded bits n). The various encoders (e.g.,encoder 1, encoder 2, and so on up to encoder n) may each be operativeto employ different respective codes (e.g., selected from among turbo,turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM), LDPC (Low Density Parity Check),Reed-Solomon (RS), BCH (Bose and Ray-Chaudhuri), convolutional, and/orany combination thereof, etc.).

Thereafter, a bit combination module is operative to process thedifferent coded bit groups (e.g., encoded bits 1, encoded bits 2, and soon up to encoded bits n) thereby generating a combined bit stream.

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment 2200 of a communication device inwhich any combinations of bits corresponding respectively to differentchannels undergo encoding using different respective encoders. In thisembodiment, differently selected bits (e.g., non-encoded bits)corresponding to different channels are respectively provided to achannel selection module that is operative to select any combination ofbits corresponding to any combination of one or more channels therebygenerating respective groups of bits.

The respective groups of bits then undergo encoding within differentrespective encoders (e.g., encoder 1, encoder 2, and so on up to encodern) thereby generating different coded bit groups (e.g., encoded bits 1,encoded bits 2, and so on up to encoded bits n). Thereafter, a bitcombination module is operative to process the different coded bitgroups (e.g., encoded bits 1, encoded bits 2, and so on up to encodedbits m) thereby generating a combined bit stream.

FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment 2300 of repetition encoding in thetime domain. The use of repetition encoding is operative to extend therange of OFDM rates. When comparing IEEE 802.11ac to previous versionsof IEEE 802.11x, rates associated with 256 QAM modulation have beenadded to increase throughput.

In order to improve range using OFDM (such as may be employed inaccordance with IEEE 802.11ah), two rates, namely MCS0 with repetition 2and repetition 4, may be added thereto. Also, the use of MCS1 withrepetition 2 may be employed instead of MCS0, since it may be effectualto provide improved performance in a communication channel affecteddeleteriously Rayleigh fading.

This MCS definition uses repetition across frequency to provide improvedfrequency diversity by mapping each symbol into two or four tonesseparated by half or quarter of the available bandwidth. In order toreduce peak to average power ratio (PAPR), a known phase offset may alsobe added we propose to add between the repeated symbols. Hence, thelowest rate in the system with 1/8 CP and using 2 MHz bandwidth is 7.2Mbps/10/4=180 kbps.

To allow even lower bit rate such as 90 kbps without defining a newnarrower channel (1 MHz), we propose one of the following modes:

(1) MCS0 with repetition 8 provides even more frequency diversity. Thecurrent IEEE 802.11ac design uses 52 data sub-carriers which is notdivisible by 8 but the 802.11a design uses 48 data sub-carriers, adesign still used in 802.11ac for the legacy signal and LTF fields.

(2) Symbol repetition in time. The receiver combines the output of twosymbols to gain 3 dB at the expense of one symbol delay in the decoding.

(3) Symbol repetition in frequency.

FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment 2400 of repetition encoding in thefrequency domain. The respective data sub-carriers (tones) may bedivided into a number of respective groups (e.g., 2 groups, 3 groups, 4groups, etc.) for use in mapping respective OFDM symbols thereto. Forexample, exact mapping can use any combination. For example, in the caseof 2 groups: odd and even sub-carriers, lower half sub-carriers andupper half sub-carriers, etc. For example, in the case of 3 groups: thelower, middle, and upper third groups of sub-carriers, every 3^(rd)sub-carrier into one of 3 respective groups (e.g., tones 1, 4, 7, etc.in a first group; tones 2, 5, 8, etc. in a second group; and tones 3, 6,9, etc. in a third group). For example, in the case of 4 groups: thebottom fourth, next fourth, next fourth and uppermost fourth may compose4 respective groups of sub-carriers, every 4^(th) sub-carrier into oneof 4 respective groups (e.g., tones 1, 5, 8, etc. in a first group;tones 2, 6, 9, etc. in a second group; tones 3, 7, 10, etc. in a thirdgroup; and tones 4, 8, 11, etc. in a fourth group).

For example, considering the embodiment in the case of 2 groups, 64 FFT52 data sub-carriers may be partitioned into two equal groups, each ofwhich is mapped to one of two successive OFDM symbols and boosted by 3dB. Again, the exact mapping can use any combination such as odd andeven sub-carriers, or mapping to half the band on one OFDM symbol andthe second half in the second OFDM symbol. In one embodiment, the twogroups should optimally use different sub-carriers to maintain the sameoverall power spectral density in each sub-carrier. The pilotsub-carriers can also be evenly split between the two OFDM symbols ortransmitted in each OFDM symbol to minimize change. In this approach,there is no delay as the receiver feeds the decoder symbol by symbol.

FIG. 25 illustrates various embodiments 2500 of a communication device.As may be seen with respect to this diagram, as shown in the top of thediagram, a down clock module may be implemented within the wirelesscommunication device to process a first clock signal to generate asecond clock signal. A physical layer (PHY) within the wirelesscommunication device may be operated based upon the second clock signal.In some instances, the PHY of a given the wireless communication devicemay be designed in operative in accordance with at least onecommunication standard, protocol, and/or recommended practice. Dependingupon the particular clocking that is provided to the PHY, the PHY willbe operative in accordance with a particular one of those communicationstandards, protocols, and/or recommended practices. As may be understoodwith respect to this variant, a down clocking of a PHY that has beendesigned and implemented for operation within a first communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice may effectuate theoperation of that PHY for operation within a second communicationstandard, protocol, and/or recommended practice.

It is noted that certain embodiments may be implemented to include a PHYthat is selectively operable based upon two or more different respectiveclocks. For example, considering the bottom portion of this diagram, adown clock module may be implemented to process a first clock signal togenerate a second clock signal. The PHY may be selectively operable inaccordance with either respective clocking. That is to say, when the PHYoperates in accordance with a first clock signal, then the PHY would beoperative in accordance with the first communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice. Alternatively, when that very same PHYoperates in accordance with the second clock signal (e.g., such as adown clock version of first clock signal), then the PHY would beoperative in accordance with a second communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice. It is of course noted that more than tworespective clock signals may be employed within alternative embodiments,such that, depending upon the particular clocking provided to a PHY,that PHY would operate in accordance with different respectivecommunication standards, protocols, and/or recommended practices.

As described elsewhere herein with respect to various embodiments and/ordiagrams, relationship between the channelization of differentrespective communication standards, protocols, and/or recommendedpractices may effectuate the selective and adaptive operation of a PHYin accordance with more than one such communication standard, protocol,and/or recommended practice.

FIG. 26A, FIG. 26B, FIG. 27A, and FIG. 27B are diagrams illustratingembodiments of methods for operating one or more wireless communicationdevices.

Referring to method 2600 of FIG. 26A, the method 2600 begins bydown-clocking at least one clock signal using a single down clockingratio to generate a plurality of clock signals, as shown in a block2610. In certain alternate embodiments, such down-clocking may be basedupon one or more different respective clocks to generate one or moredifferent respective down-clock clocks.

The method 2600 continues by operating a physical layer (PHY) of a firstcommunication device to support communications with at least oneadditional (e.g., a 2^(nd), or 2^(nd), 3^(rd), etc.) communicationdevice using at least one channel having a respective channel bandwidthcorresponding to at least one of the plurality of clock signals, asshown in a block 2620. It is noted that adaptation may be effectuatedsuch that a first respective channel bandwidth may be employed at orduring a first time, and a second respective channel bandwidth may beemployed at or during a second time, etc. Such adaptation may be basedupon any one or more different respective considerations, including anyone or more local and/or remote operating condition (or any changethereof), information received from the at least one additionalcommunication device, etc.

Via at least one antenna of the communication device, the method 2600then operates by transmitting or receiving the communicationswirelessly, as shown in a block 2630. As may be understood, suchoperation of the PHY of the first communication device may be operativeto assist in appropriate operation to support one or both oftransmission or receipt of communications wirelessly from at least oneadditional communication device

Referring to method 2601 of FIG. 26B, the method 2601 begins bydown-clocking a first at least one clock signal using a singledown-clocking ratio to generate a second at least one clock signal, asshown in a block 2611.

The method 2601 then operates by operating a PHY corresponding to afirst protocol, standard, and/or recommended practice of a firstcommunication device to support communications with at least oneadditional (e.g., a 2^(nd), or 2^(nd), 3^(rd), etc.) communicationdevice using at least one channel having a respective channel bandwidthcorresponding to the second at least one clock signal thereby operatingthe PHY in accordance with a second protocol, standard, and/orrecommended practice, as shown in a block 2621.

Via at least one antenna of the communication device, the method 2601then operates by transmitting or receiving the communicationswirelessly, as shown in a block 2631. Again, as may be understood withrespect to this embodiment and/or others, such operation of the PHY ofthe first communication device may be operative to assist in appropriateoperation to support one or both of transmission or receipt ofcommunications wirelessly from at least one additional communicationdevice.

Referring to method 2700 of FIG. 27A, the method 2700 begins byoperating a PHY of a first communication device to supportcommunications with at least one additional (e.g., a 2^(nd), or 2^(nd),3^(rd), etc.) communication device using a first channel having arespective channel bandwidth at or during a first time, as shown in ablock 2710.

The method 2700 continues by operating the PHY to support communicationswith the at least one additional communication device using a secondchannel having the respective channel bandwidth (e.g., of the firstchannel) or having at least one additional respective channel bandwidthat or during a second time, as shown in a block 2720. As may beunderstood, adaptation between different respective channels (and/orbetween different respective sub-channels) may be made such that a givenPHY may adaptively and selectively operate in accordance with adifferent respective sub-channels, channels, bandwidths, etc. at orduring different respective times. Referring to method 2701 of FIG. 27B,the method 2701 begins by operating a PHY of a first communicationdevice to support communications with at least one additional (e.g., a2^(nd), or 2^(nd), 3^(rd), etc.) communication device using a firstchannel having a respective channel bandwidth, as shown in a block 2711.

The method 2701 then operates by determining whether or not one or moreconditions have been met, as shown in a decision block 2721. Any desiredone or more condition may be employed within the decision block 2721.For example, such condition may be made based upon one or more receivedcommunications (e.g., feedback, and acknowledgment, etc.) provided fromone or more other communication devices. Alternatively, such a conditionmay be a change in any one or more local and/or remote operatingconditions. Generally speaking, any desired condition and/or changethereof may be used as the criterion or criteria by which suchdetermination is made within the block 2721.

If the condition is met in the decision block 2721, then the method 2701operates by operating the PHY to support communications with the atleast one additional communication device using a second channel havingthe respective channel bandwidth (e.g., of the first channel) or havingat least one additional respective channel bandwidth, as shown in ablock 2731.

Alternatively, if the condition is not met in the decision block 2721,the method 2701 then operates by continuing to operate the PHY of thefirst communication device using the first channel having the respectivechannel bandwidth, as shown in the block 2711. As may be understood,such adaptation and selectivity between different respective channelbandwidths may be made based on one or more criteria. If any one or moresuch desired conditions associated with the one or more criteria is notmet, then operation of the PHY continues unchanged. However, based uponany one or more such desired conditions associated with the one or morecriteria in fact being met, then operation of the PHY is modified,adapted, changed, etc.

It is also noted that the various operations and functions as describedwith respect to various methods herein may be performed within awireless communication device, such as using a baseband processingmodule and/or a processing module implemented therein, (e.g., such as inaccordance with the baseband processing module 64 and/or the processingmodule 50 as described with reference to FIG. 2) and/or other componentstherein. For example, such a baseband processing module can generatesuch signals and frames as described herein as well as perform variousoperations and analyses as described herein, or any other operations andfunctions as described herein, etc. or their respective equivalents.

In some embodiments, such a baseband processing module and/or aprocessing module (which may be implemented in the same device orseparate devices) can perform such processing to generate signals fortransmission using at least one of any number of radios and at least oneof any number of antennae to another wireless communication device(e.g., which also may include at least one of any number of radios andat least one of any number of antennae) in accordance with variousaspects of the invention, and/or any other operations and functions asdescribed herein, etc. or their respective equivalents. In someembodiments, such processing is performed cooperatively by a processingmodule in a first device, and a baseband processing module within asecond device. In other embodiments, such processing is performed whollyby a baseband processing module or a processing module.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “module”,“processing circuit”, and/or “processing unit” (e.g., including variousmodules and/or circuitries such as may be operative, implemented, and/orfor encoding, for decoding, for baseband processing, etc.) may be asingle processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may have anassociated memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/orprocessing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, theboundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarilydefined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could bedefined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriatelyperformed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarilydefined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To theextent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could havebeen defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the artwill also recognize that the functional building blocks, and otherillustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implementedas illustrated or by discrete components, application specificintegrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and thelike or any combination thereof.

The present invention may have also been described, at least in part, interms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present inventionis used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, afeature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. Aphysical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, amachine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention mayinclude one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc.described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussedherein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporatethe same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may usethe same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions,steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps,modules, etc. or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of the various embodimentsof the present invention. A module includes a functional block that isimplemented via hardware to perform one or module functions such as theprocessing of one or more input signals to produce one or more outputsignals. The hardware that implements the module may itself operate inconjunction software, and/or firmware. As used herein, a module maycontain one or more sub-modules that themselves are modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of thepresent invention have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent invention is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

Mode Selection Tables:

TABLE 1 2.4 GHz, 20/22 MHz channel BW, 54 Mbps max bit rate Code RateModulation Rate NBPSC NCBPS NDBPS EVM Sensitivity ACR AACR Barker 1 BPSKBarker 2 QPSK 5.5 CCK 6 BPSK 0.5 1 48 24 −5 −82 16 32 9 BPSK 0.75 1 4836 −8 −81 15 31 11 CCK 12 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 −10 −79 13 29 18 QPSK 0.75 296 72 −13 −77 11 27 24 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 −16 −74 8 24 36 16-QAM 0.75 4192 144 −19 −70 4 20 48 64-QAM 0.666 6 288 192 −22 −66 0 16 54 64-QAM0.75 6 288 216 −25 −65 −1 15

TABLE 2 Channelization for Table 1 Frequency Channel (MHz) 1 2412 2 24173 2422 4 2427 5 2432 6 2437 7 2442 8 2447 9 2452 10 2457 11 2462 12 2467

TABLE 3 Power Spectral Density (PSD) Mask for Table 1 PSD Mask 1Frequency Offset dBr −9 MHz to 9 MHz 0 +/−11 MHz −20 +/−20 MHz −28 +/−30MHz and greater −50

TABLE 4 5 GHz, 20 MHz channel BW, 54 Mbps max bit rate Code RateModulation Rate NBPSC NCBPS NDBPS EVM Sensitivity ACR AACR 6 BPSK 0.5 148 24 −5 −82 16 32 9 BPSK 0.75 1 48 36 −8 −81 15 31 12 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48−10 −79 13 29 18 QPSK 0.75 2 96 72 −13 −77 11 27 24 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96−16 −74 8 24 36 16-QAM 0.75 4 192 144 −19 −70 4 20 48 64-QAM 0.666 6 288192 −22 −66 0 16 54 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216 −25 −65 −1 15

TABLE 5 Channelization for Table 4 Frequency Frequency Channel (MHz)Country Channel (MHz) Country 240 4920 Japan 244 4940 Japan 248 4960Japan 252 4980 Japan 8 5040 Japan 12 5060 Japan 16 5080 Japan 36 5180USA/Europe 34 5170 Japan 40 5200 USA/Europe 38 5190 Japan 44 5220USA/Europe 42 5210 Japan 48 5240 USA/Europe 46 5230 Japan 52 5260USA/Europe 56 5280 USA/Europe 60 5300 USA/Europe 64 5320 USA/Europe 1005500 USA/Europe 104 5520 USA/Europe 108 5540 USA/Europe 112 5560USA/Europe 116 5580 USA/Europe 120 5600 USA/Europe 124 5620 USA/Europe128 5640 USA/Europe 132 5660 USA/Europe 136 5680 USA/Europe 140 5700USA/Europe 149 5745 USA 153 5765 USA 157 5785 USA 161 5805 USA 165 5825USA

TABLE 6 2.4 GHz, 20 MHz channel BW, 192 Mbps max bit rate ST TX CodeModu- Code Rate Antennas Rate lation Rate NBPSC NCBPS NDBPS 12 2 1 BPSK0.5 1 48 24 24 2 1 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 48 2 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 96 2 164-QAM 0.666 6 288 192 108 2 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216 18 3 1 BPSK 0.5 148 24 36 3 1 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 72 3 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 144 3 1 64-QAM0.666 6 288 192 162 3 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216 24 4 1 BPSK 0.5 1 48 24 484 1 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 96 4 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 192 4 1 64-QAM 0.666 6288 192 216 4 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216

TABLE 7 Channelization for Table 6 Frequency Channel (MHz) 1 2412 2 24173 2422 4 2427 5 2432 6 2437 7 2442 8 2447 9 2452 10 2457 11 2462 12 2467

TABLE 8 5 GHz, 20 MHz channel BW, 192 Mbps max bit rate TX An- ten- STCode Modu- Code Rate nas Rate lation Rate NBPSC NCBPS NDBPS 12 2 1 BPSK0.5 1 48 24 24 2 1 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 48 2 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 96 2 164-QAM 0.666 6 288 192 108 2 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216 18 3 1 BPSK 0.5 148 24 36 3 1 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 72 3 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 144 3 1 64-QAM0.666 6 288 192 162 3 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216 24 4 1 BPSK 0.5 1 48 24 484 1 QPSK 0.5 2 96 48 96 4 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 192 96 192 4 1 64-QAM 0.666 6288 192 216 4 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 288 216

TABLE 9 channelization for Table 8 Frequency Frequency Channel (MHz)Country Channel (MHz) Country 240 4920 Japan 244 4940 Japan 248 4960Japan 252 4980 Japan 8 5040 Japan 12 5060 Japan 16 5080 Japan 36 5180USA/Europe 34 5170 Japan 40 5200 USA/Europe 38 5190 Japan 44 5220USA/Europe 42 5210 Japan 48 5240 USA/Europe 46 5230 Japan 52 5260USA/Europe 56 5280 USA/Europe 60 5300 USA/Europe 64 5320 USA/Europe 1005500 USA/Europe 104 5520 USA/Europe 108 5540 USA/Europe 112 5560USA/Europe 116 5580 USA/Europe 120 5600 USA/Europe 124 5620 USA/Europe128 5640 USA/Europe 132 5660 USA/Europe 136 5680 USA/Europe 140 5700USA/Europe 149 5745 USA 153 5765 USA 157 5785 USA 161 5805 USA 165 5825USA

TABLE 10 5 GHz, with 40 MHz channels and max bit rate of 486 Mbps TX STCode Code Rate Antennas Rate Modulation Rate NBPSC 13.5 Mbps  1 1 BPSK0.5 1  27 Mbps 1 1 QPSK 0.5 2  54 Mbps 1 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 108 Mbps 1 164-QAM 0.666 6 121.5 Mbps  1 1 64-QAM 0.75 6  27 Mbps 2 1 BPSK 0.5 1  54Mbps 2 1 QPSK 0.5 2 108 Mbps 2 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 216 Mbps 2 1 64-QAM 0.6666 243 Mbps 2 1 64-QAM 0.75 6 40.5 Mbps  3 1 BPSK 0.5 1  81 Mbps 3 1 QPSK0.5 2 162 Mbps 3 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 324 Mbps 3 1 64-QAM 0.666 6 365.5 Mbps 3 1 64-QAM 0.75 6  54 Mbps 4 1 BPSK 0.5 1 108 Mbps 4 1 QPSK 0.5 2 216Mbps 4 1 16-QAM 0.5 4 432 Mbps 4 1 64-QAM 0.666 6 486 Mbps 4 1 64-QAM0.75 6

TABLE 11 Power Spectral Density (PSD) mask for Table 10 PSD Mask 2Frequency Offset dBr −19 MHz to 19 MHz 0 +/−21 MHz −20 +/−30 MHz −28+/−40 MHz and greater −50

TABLE 12 Channelization for Table 10 Frequency Frequency Channel (MHz)Country Channel (MHz) County 242 4930 Japan 250 4970 Japan 12 5060 Japan38 5190 USA/Europe 36 5180 Japan 46 5230 USA/Europe 44 5520 Japan 545270 USA/Europe 62 5310 USA/Europe 102 5510 USA/Europe 110 5550USA/Europe 118 5590 USA/Europe 126 5630 USA/Europe 134 5670 USA/Europe151 5755 USA 159 5795 USA

REFERENCES

-   [1] 11-11-0251-00-00ah-outdoor-channel models-for-802-11ah.ppt-   [2]    11-11-0436-00-00ah-path-loss-and-delay-spread-models-for-11ah.pptx-   [3] 11-11-0444-00-00af-comments-for-phy.pptx

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication device comprising: aprocessor configured to: process communications received from anotherwireless communication device to determine whether the another wirelesscommunication device is operating based on a first communicationprotocol associated with a first clock signal or a second communicationprotocol associated with a second clock signal that is a down-clockedversion of the first clock signal; when it is determined that theanother wireless communication device is operating based on the secondcommunication protocol, receive a channel assignment from the anotherwireless communication device that specifies a plurality of channels anda plurality of time periods for use by a plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices and process the channel assignment to determine ifthe wireless communication device is included in the plurality of otherwireless communication devices; and when it is determined that thewireless communication device is included in the plurality of otherwireless communication devices specified within the channel assignment,support other communications with the another wireless communicationdevice based on the channel assignment within at least one time periodof the a plurality of time periods and based on the second communicationprotocol.
 2. The wireless communication device of claim 1 furthercomprising: a down-clocking module configured to: down-clock the firstclock signal using a down-clocking factor of 10 to generate the secondclock signal; down-clock a 20 mega-Hertz (MHz) clock signal using thedown-clocking factor of 10 to generate a 2 MHz clock signal; down-clocka 40 MHz clock signal using the down-clocking factor of 10 to generate a4 MHz clock signal; and down-clock a 80 MHz clock signal using thedown-clocking factor of 10 to generate an 8 MHz clock signal; and acommunication interface, coupled to the processor, that is configured toreceive the communications from another wireless communication deviceand to operate based on the second communication protocol when clockedat the second clock signal.
 3. The wireless communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the channel assignment specifies at least one ofmulti-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) signaling ororthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signaling for theplurality of other wireless communication devices and further specifies:a first channel of the plurality of channels having a first channelbandwidth for use by the wireless communication device; and a secondchannel of the plurality of channels having a second channel bandwidththat is different than the first channel bandwidth for use by at leastone other wireless communication device of the plurality of otherwireless communication devices.
 4. The wireless communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the channel assignment specifies: one channel of theplurality of channels for use by the wireless communication deviceduring a first time period of the plurality of time periods; and the onechannel of the plurality of channels for use by at least one otherwireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices during a second time period of the plurality oftime periods.
 5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, whereinthe processor is further configured to: transmit a frame to the anotherwireless communication device during a time period of the plurality oftime periods specified for use by the wireless communication device inthe channel assignment when supporting the other communications based onthe second communication protocol.
 6. The wireless communication deviceof claim 1 further comprising: a communication interface, coupled to theprocessor, that is configured to support communications within at leastone of a satellite communication system, a wireless communicationsystem, a wired communication system, a fiber-optic communicationsystem, or a mobile communication system; and the processor configuredto receive the channel assignment from the another wirelesscommunication device and to support the other communications with theanother wireless communication device via the communication interface.7. The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising: awireless station (STA) or a smart meter station (SMSTA), wherein theanother wireless communication device includes an access point (AP). 8.The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising: anaccess point (AP), wherein the another wireless communication deviceincludes a wireless station (STA) or a smart meter station (SMSTA).
 9. Awireless communication device comprising: a processor configured to:process communications received from another wireless communicationdevice to determine whether the another wireless communication device isoperating based on a first communication protocol associated with afirst clock signal or a second communication protocol associated with asecond clock signal that is a down-clocked version of the first clocksignal based on a down-clocking factor of 10; when it is determined thatthe another wireless communication device is operating based on thesecond communication protocol, receive a channel assignment from theanother wireless communication device that specifies a plurality ofchannels and a plurality of time periods for use by a plurality of otherwireless communication devices and process the channel assignment todetermine if the wireless communication device is included in theplurality of other wireless communication devices; and when it isdetermined that the wireless communication device is included in theplurality of other wireless communication devices specified within thechannel assignment, transmit a frame to the another wirelesscommunication device during a time period of the plurality of timeperiods specified for use by the wireless communication device in thechannel assignment when supporting other communications based on thesecond communication protocol.
 10. The wireless communication device ofclaim 9 further comprising: a down-clocking module configured to:down-clock the first clock signal using a down-clocking factor of 10 togenerate the second clock signal; down-clock a 20 mega-Hertz (MHz) clocksignal using the down-clocking factor of 10 to generate a 2 MHz clocksignal; down-clock a 40 MHz clock signal using the down-clocking factorof 10 to generate a 4 MHz clock signal; and down-clock a 80 MHz clocksignal using the down-clocking factor of 10 to generate an 8 MHz clocksignal; and a communication interface, coupled to the processor, that isconfigured to receive the communications from another wirelesscommunication device and to operate based on the second communicationprotocol when clocked at the second clock signal.
 11. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 9, wherein the channel assignmentspecifies at least one of multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output(MU-MIMO) signaling or orthogonal frequency division multiple access(OFDMA) signaling for the plurality of other wireless communicationdevices and further specifies: a first channel of the plurality ofchannels having a first channel bandwidth for use by the wirelesscommunication device; and a second channel of the plurality of channelshaving a second channel bandwidth that is different than the firstchannel bandwidth for use by at least one other wireless communicationdevice of the plurality of other wireless communication devices.
 12. Thewireless communication device of claim 9, wherein the channel assignmentspecifies: one channel of the plurality of channels for use by thewireless communication device during a first time period of theplurality of time periods; and the one channel of the plurality ofchannels for use by at least one other wireless communication device ofthe plurality of other wireless communication devices during a secondtime period of the plurality of time periods.
 13. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 9 further comprising: a wireless station(STA) or a smart meter station (SMSTA), wherein the another wirelesscommunication device includes an access point (AP).
 14. A method forexecution by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:processing communications received from another wireless communicationdevice via a communication interface of the wireless communicationdevice to determine whether the another wireless communication device isoperating based on a first communication protocol associated with afirst clock signal or a second communication protocol associated with asecond clock signal that is a down-clocked version of the first clocksignal; when it is determined that the another wireless communicationdevice is operating based on the second communication protocol,receiving a channel assignment from the another wireless communicationdevice that specifies a plurality of channels and a plurality of timeperiods for use by a plurality of other wireless communication devicesand process the channel assignment to determine if the wirelesscommunication device is included in the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices; and when it is determined that the wirelesscommunication device is included in the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices specified within the channel assignment,supporting other communications with the another wireless communicationdevice based on the channel assignment within at least one time periodof the a plurality of time periods and based on the second communicationprotocol.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: down-clockingthe first clock signal using a down-clocking factor of 10 to generatethe second clock signal; down-clocking a 20 mega-Hertz (MHz) clocksignal using the down-clocking factor of 10 to generate a 2 MHz clocksignal; down-clocking a 40 MHz clock signal using the down-clockingfactor of 10 to generate a 4 MHz clock signal; and down-clocking a 80MHz clock signal using the down-clocking factor of 10 to generate an 8MHz clock signal; and operating the communication interface of thewireless communication device based on the second communication protocolwhen clocked at the second clock signal.
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein the channel assignment specifies at least one of multi-usermultiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) signaling or orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA) signaling for the pluralityof other wireless communication devices and further specifies: a firstchannel of the plurality of channels having a first channel bandwidthfor use by the wireless communication device; and a second channel ofthe plurality of channels having a second channel bandwidth that isdifferent than the first channel bandwidth for use by at least one otherwireless communication device of the plurality of other wirelesscommunication devices.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the channelassignment specifies: one channel of the plurality of channels for useby the wireless communication device during a first time period of theplurality of time periods; and the one channel of the plurality ofchannels for use by at least one other wireless communication device ofthe plurality of other wireless communication devices during a secondtime period of the plurality of time periods.
 18. The method of claim 14further comprising: transmitting, via the communication interface of thewireless communication device, a frame to the another wirelesscommunication device during a time period of the plurality of timeperiods specified for use by the wireless communication device in thechannel assignment when supporting the other communications based on thesecond communication protocol.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein thewireless communication device includes a wireless station (STA) or asmart meter station (SMSTA), and the another wireless communicationdevice includes an access point (AP).
 20. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising: operating the communication interface of the wirelesscommunication device to support communications within at least one of asatellite communication system, a wireless communication system, a wiredcommunication system, a fiber-optic communication system, or a mobilecommunication system.